N the 4th of March, 1849, General Taylor entered

ON

upon the duties of his high office. His inaugural address was very short, but lucid and eloquent. "A Whig, but not an ultra Whig," by his own declaration, the President selected the members of his cabinet from the ranks of that party, but choice men who were not distinguished as ultra partisans. John M. Clayton, of Delaware, was appointed Secretary of State. A new department had been created during the Congressional session of 1848-9, to relieve the Secretaries of the State and Treasury departments of a portion of their arduous duties. This was called the Home Department, and Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, was selected to fill the office. William M. Meredith, of Pennsylvania, was appointed Secretary of the Treasury.

Congress met on the 1st Monday of December, 1849. There was an administration majority in the lower house, but an opposition majority in the Senate. Most of the President's appointments, however, were ratified in the latter body. The message to Congress was short, but characteristic of the chief magistrate, and sufficiently indicated the moderate course which he intended to pursue. The question of the prohibition of slavery in the territories was the cause of a great deal of exciting discussion. The subject of slavery was introduced into every

debate. The bills providing territorial governments for California and New Mexico were defeated.

FTER the adjournment of Congress, a caucus

of the southern members was held in Washington, and an address, prepared by John C. Calhoun, was issued to the people of the Southern States, complaining of various acts of aggression upon the rights of southern slaveholding people, and exhorting these people to resist while they could. The effect of this address was clearly felt in the increased excitement upon the slavery question, and threats of disunion were freely and boldly made.

Congress assembled in December, 1850. By the preceding Congressional election, parties had become equally balanced in the House of Representatives. A few members had been elected in the Northern States as "free soil" men, or men pledged to oppose the extension of slavery; and these held the balance of power. The contest for the speakership continued six weeks. Howell Cobb, of Georgia, and Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, were the principal candidates. The former was elected to the office by a small majority.

The choice of a speaker did not end the excitement. The ultras on both sides of the slavery question introduced the subject into every debate. The people of California, feeling the necessity of a more certain and efficacious form of government than had been provided by the national authorities, met in convention and adopted a State constitution; and by the prefixed declaration of rights, slavery was forever prohibited in California. Application was made for admission into the Union, but the clause relating to slavery excited the violent opposition of the southern members of Congress. Other seeds of excitement and bitter feeling were sown. The government of Texas put forth a claim to the territory of New Mexico; the question of the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia was agitated; and it soon became clear, that no business could be done in Congress until the subject was settled by compromise.

On the 19th of April, on motion of Mr. Foote, of Mississippi, the Senate elected by ballot a select committee of thirteen, known as the Compromise Committee. Henry Clay was elected chairman. On the 6th of May, this committee reported the "Omnibus Bill" to the Senate. The aims of this bill were to restore harmony to the national councils,

and to calm the public excitement. It provided for the admission of California; giving territorial governments to New Mexico and Utah; paying Texas to relinquish her claim upon New Mexico; the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia. The discussion of this great measure drew forth a display of talent and statesmanship unsurpassed in the annals of the republic. Able men were ranged on both sides of the question.

BOUT the middle of May, an expedition which had been in preparation in the southern ports for some time, destined to attempt to revolutionize Cuba, arrived off Yucatan. About 600 men, commanded by General Lopez, were on board of the steamer Creole. On the 19th of May, the Creole reached Cardenas, Cuba, and the men were disembarked. Skirmishing ensued, and the town surrendered. The invaders held possession of the place during the day, and in the evening, after another slight skirmish, went on board the Creole, and left the island. The loss of the invaders was about 40 men killed or wounded. That of the Cubans was much larger. The Creole, after disembarking her men at Key West, was seized by the United States revenue officers. This expedition was generally condemned by the people of the United States, and several distinguished persons, who were charged with aiding or abetting it, were arrested and tried for violating the neutral laws of their country; but discharged for want of evidence.

The

The discussion on the "Omnibus Bill" lasted about two months. Senate was nearly equally divided upon the merits of the bill. Some of its provisions were generally acceptable; but their combination with other obnoxious measures was condemned. By successive amendments, the bill was reduced to the provision of a territorial government for Utah.

While the public mind was busy with the discussions on the Compromise measures, the sudden death of the President threw the nation into mourning. General Taylor died on the 9th of July, after a brief illness, and at the age of 65 years. His last words expressed the character of his life. “I have endeavored to do my duty," are words which call to mind a man of that sublime simplicity of character, which belongs only to the best of earth.

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HE Vice-President, Mr. Fillmore, became President according to the provision of the Constitution, anċ was inaugurated immediately after the death of General Taylor. The members of the cabinet at once tendered their resignations to the new chief magistrate, and they were accepted. A new cabinet was then organized. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was appointed Secretary of State, and the remaining departments were placed under the superintendence of men from the various sections of the Union who were distinguished as Whigs and in favor of the compromise measures. measures having been brought forward separately, were not so strenuously These opposed as before, and at length passed both houses. This consummation was hailed with rejoicings by the friends of the Union, north and south.

As President Fillmore had long been identified with the Whig party, the policy of his administration could not be doubted. In his first annual message to Congress, the principles of union, compromise, domestic protection, and foreign neutrality were lucidly and forcibly recommended as necessary for the maintenance of the honor and safety of the country. During General Taylor's administration, the foreign relations of the country had occupied a great share of the attention of the government. Difficulties had occurred with England, France, Spain and Portugal, all

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